MASON CITY — Today marks the 66th anniversary of Pearl Harbor — and with it comes a special connection to the Christmas Cheer Fund.
In January 1942, the Cheer Fund received a donation from Rolan Howard, formerly of Mason City. He was killed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941, just a week after he mailed his donation.

Howard was a gunner’s mate on the U.S.S. Arizona, which was destroyed in the Japanese sneak attack that propelled the United States into World War II. He was one of 1,177 Arizona crewmen killed. Only 334 survived.

His $1 contribution was meant for the 1941 Cheer Fund but didn’t reach its destination until late January 1942. When it did it was marked, “The addressee died in the service of his country.”

Looking through old family items recently, Janet “J.R.” Howard, Mason City, and her sister discovered a Globe Gazette story about their Uncle Rolan’s donation.

“I’d never seen it before and thought it was interesting,” she said. “I thought it was neat that he had done that before they were all killed.”

In the story it said his donation came with the following note, “Please accept these good wishes and this small contribution from a former Mason Cityan. Hope you reach your goal this year.”

The 1942 Christmas Cheer Fund was dedicated to Rolan Howard and his buddies in the military.

The Pearl Harbor attack took the lives of 2,390 American soldiers and civilians. Twenty-five Iowans were killed in the attack, four from North Iowa, according to Globe Gazette records. They were Edwin Earl Jante, Garner; William Howard Peavey, Iowa Falls and Arnold Alfred Wilcox and Ray Milo Wilson, both of Charles City.

Since the Cheer Fund began 80 years ago it has helped needy families provide food and presents on Christmas Day.

After donations on Thursday the Cheer Fund total was $40,192.80, which means more than half is left to reach the goal of $100,000.

Applications for Cheer Fund money can be picked up at the Globe Gazette between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applications must be completely filled out.

Donations can be dropped off at the Globe Gazette or mailed to Christmas Cheer Fund, Globe Gazette, Box 271, Mason City, IA 50402-0271. Only monetary donations can be accepted.

Thursday’s total $4,037.00
Year to date $40,192.80
Needed to reach goal $59,807.20